Brewing Bee Balm Tea

Wild Oswego Tea

Bee Balm tea aka Wild Oswego Tea has a long history in North America. It was concocted by Native Americans in Pre-Colonial times and as the story goes the colonists started using it heavily after the Boston Tea Party, when British Tea was tossed in the Harbor and boycotted due to excessive taxation without representation.

The leaves are brewed into a tasty aromatic tea, with proven medicinal properties. It has a flavor that is simultaneously minty sweet and spicy.

Medicinal Properties of Bee Balm

Herbalists recommend Bee Balm tea for digestive problems which is a common trait in most mint family plants.

Bee balm, like its close relative Thyme , contains the antiseptic thymol, which is a naturally occurring biocide with strong antimicrobial properties. It is used to reduce bacterial resistance to common antibiotics and drugs. Is a common ingredient of most antiseptic mouth washes such as Listerine, and has powerful antioxidant properties. [1]

It is carminative herb and helps combat flatulence.[2]

It is helpful against colic and bloating.

Bee balms antiseptic attributes also convert to anti-fungal properties. It is used to fight topical infections - yeast infections are one of the issues it addresses.[3]

Using the bee balm tea in a douche will help. Now Ladies - be sure to cool the tea first, you may be a hottie but in this scenario its best to be cool. If chronic yeast [candida] is an issue, drinking Bee Balm tea on a regular basis will help prevent its re-occurrence.

Bee Balm should not be used if you have a history of thyroid problems, it should not be used by pregnant women.

Recipe for Bee Balm Tea

1 tsp. of dried Bee Balm plant - leaves, flowers and seeds can be used - pulverized, but not the roots.

Add 1 cup boiling water per every tsp. of herb , steep for 10 min. sweeten to taste. I sometimes use lavender sugar when it is available , but honey or regular sugar - just a tad, will suffice. A twist or a few drops of lemon also adds a tasty deviation.

If you are using fresh bee balm plants the ratio of water to herb changes slightly. Add 1/4 cup of the fresh crushed bee balm to every cup of boiling water and allow it to steep for 5 minutes. Strain off the pulp and enjoy your tea. It can also be chilled- like iced tea, but the flavor shifts ever so slightly.

Infusion process which works well with fresh, as well as dried herbs. Bring water to a boil, add 1 teaspoon of you dried ingredient per cup- - seep it in the water to allow the flavor to permeate the liquid. If you're getting into herbal teas you might want to consider getting a mesh ball - basically a metal tea bag.

Another method of making an infusion is to add a cup of dried herbs to a quart jar. Pour boiling water over the herbs to the top of the jar. You should also place a metal spoon or utensil in the jar when you are pouring the hot water if you are using glass. The metal will absorb the sudden heat and prevent the glass from shattering.

Remove the metal utensil and cover the jar tightly with a lid. Let the herbs steep up to 10 hours and then strain.

2. Carminative, also known as carminativum are herbs or herbal preparations intended to prevent gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract or facilitate the expulsion of bowel gas - combating flatulence. So far as the expulsion of gas, a common issue sometimes encountered with these herbs is that the user sometimes has little control over when the gas is being expelled which can lead to embarrassment.